F3 Knoxville

Brolympics Redux

THE SCENE: Cloudy, mild breeze that would ruffle my hair if I had more of it, mid 40s.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

Done

WARM-O-RAMA:
SSH x 20 IC, Cherry Pickers x 10 IC, Ankle Grabbers/hammie stretch, Baby Arm Circles Forward (x10) and Backward (x10) IC, Shoulder Tap Merkins x 10 IC

THA-THANG:
Today we revisited the events of the Brolympics that we enjoyed at the F3 anniversary a few weeks ago.  We started with the long distance run first, carrying a softball bat high as the Olympic torch.  Indian run from AO up Baby Everest and around running trail to parking lot, then back close to the AO, passing “torch” off as PAX gets to front.

Brolympic Redux:

Parking lot will have 6 different stations that imitate the F3 Brolympics events.  We will do each station for 2 minutes, AMRAP.  The stations are:

  • Merkins
  • BBS
  • Shuttle Run / Suicides
  • Burpee Broad Jumps
  • 40-yd dash
  • Bear Crawl around cones

This was followed by a mini Pickett’s Charge up Baby Everest.  Not enough time to rinse and repeat as planned, so we each PAX member chose whatever exercise they wanted to revisit, rotating as desired, until it was time to head back to the AO.

MARY:
Flutter kicks x 25, 4-ct IC, Box Cutters x 20, 4-ct, IC

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
6 Strong!

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

Doing Christianity – Reverend Gretchen Sylwester at Bethel Church, Elmhurst IL

‘Author and activist Shane Claiborne writes in The Irresistible Revolution: “If you ask most people what Christians believe, they can tell you, ‘Christians believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that Jesus rose from the dead.’ But if you ask the average person how Christians live, they are struck silent. They usually say something like “Christians live pretty much like everybody else, they just sprinkle in a little Jesus along the way.”

One of the speakers at an interfaith community event at the Villa Park Islamic Center said that in her tradition, religious action is far more important than religious belief. From her perspective, how we live is far more important than what we say we believe. More recently, the tragedy in Pittsburgh at the Tree of Life Synagogue might make one question about what a “Christian response” to this tragedy might be.

What is essential to a Christian way of life? What are the things that we do that set us apart? If you were to describe the Christian way of life to a non-believer, what would you say? If it is not just Jesus’ sprinkles, what is it?

One place to start is by talking about generosity and grace. We share. Christians use our power and privilege to change things for others who have less. We are slow to judge and quick to forgive. We are diligent in setting aside time for prayer and meditation. We worship with others as an essential practice, something that we make room for in our lives as a “must” rather than a “maybe.” And most of all, Christians look to the future with hope, not fear.

I encourage you to consider your own action plan for being a Christian. Forget about the word “think.”  Forget the word “believe.” Consider what it is that we do that makes us unique. For as the old hymn goes, in the end, “They will know that we are Christians by our love, by our love. They will know we are Christians by our love.” ‘

MOLESKIN:
The PAX shared some words of support for one of our members who is going through a difficult stretch.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
3rd F coming up this Saturday at the Outlook, 8:30 a.m.  Breakfast provided, $10 donation recommended.

Earl Grey Tea Type of Day…

THE SCENE: mid 30s, dark, cold, rainy… yeah, it was just a peach of an evening.

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER 

Yep

WARM-O-RAMA:
Motivators, 7 ct, descending, Cherry Pickers IC, Little of this, little of that, Baby Arm Circles forward (10 ct, IC) and backwards (10 ct, IC), 10 x 4 calf raises followed by 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% sprint across parking lot and back.

THA-THANG:
Changed plans after looking at radar and not enjoying the near-freezing rain during the warm up and went to the pavilion for a tabata workout.  20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest, 8 reps of the following exercises:

  • Squats
  • Merkins
  • LBCs
  • Burpees
  • American Hammers
  • Bobby Hurleys
  • Plank jacks
  • Bench step-ups

MARY:
Nope. Finished right on time.

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
Three Amigos!

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
A friend describes cold rainy days like this as “Earl Grey Tea” kind of days, when it’s best to just sit in front of a fire with a nice cup of tea.  Two men chose not to do that tonight, and joined me for the workout, and I was very impressed and grateful for their presence.  But the phrase also reminded me of a post I had seen online, called “Not your cup of tea”.  The point of it was that try as we might, there are just some people that we do not coexist well with, and although we should always try to reach out and form bridges, we shouldn’t feel guilt ridden, angry, or frustrated if our attempts fail.  Rather, we should let those folks walk their own paths, and save our energy and our hearts for those who we find synergy with, who energize us and help us improve as people.

 

Frustration Station

THE SCENE: Cloudy, temp at about 30 degrees.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:

20 Side-Straddle Hops, 20 Plank Jacks, Ten Tempo Merkins, 10 Windmills, 10 Cherry Pickers
THA-THANG:
Mosey to the long parking lot that is south of the northern ball fields and is adjacent to the serpentine sidewalk.  There will be six cones places along the length of the parking lot.  We will do suicides.  First we will sprint to each cone and back to the start until we have sprinted to every cone in order.  Next, we will do the same thing but do 10 Big Boy Sit-ups each time we come back to the starting cone.

Mosey to Pavilion at Northern Ballpark.  We will go in counter clockwise run, stopping at the following areas to do the following exercises: (we will rinse and repeat)

  • Pavilion:  20 Picnic Table Pull ups
  • Flag:  20 Boxcutters
  • Benches:  Ten Bench Jumps
  • Dugouts:  Ten Pull ups or 15 second hang

Mosey to Cardiac Hill.  We will run up the hill to the benches but stop to do the following exercises at the following areas:

  • First Turn:  20 American Hammers (four count)
  • Second Turn:  20 Hello Dollies (four count)
  • Third Turn:  20 Decline Merkins (four count)
  • Benches:  20 Bench Dips
  • Rinse and repeat

Mosey to AO

MARY:
20 Flutter Kicks, 20 Bicycle Kicks, 20 Pickle Pounders, ATMS
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
Eight men, no FNG’s.
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I chose these verses because, this week, I needed to read something in the Bible about coping with frustrations.  And, my frustrations were minor, when I think about the home fires, the prejudices, the poverty, the joblessness, the family deaths, and life struggles that many are coping with.  We all get frustrated, no matter what our positions in life.  At such times, it is good to think of God having our six, being there for us. God knows we will have tribulations.  But He is there for us.  He has overcome the world and he can certainly help us overcome what we are dealing with.  He asks us to fear not.  He tells us that he will strengthen us.  He says he will hold us in his righteous hand.  We can think on these comforts during frustrating times.  It may not answer our questions immediately, nor take away all the pain, but knowing that he watches out for us, loves us, and has plans for us, certainly helps.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
3rd F event on Saturday, December 11, 8:30 AM at the Outlook.

Standing Tall in the Year of Drought

THE SCENE: Cloudy with temps in low 40s.

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:

20 Side Straddle Hops, 15 Imperial Walkers, 10 High Kicks, 10 Cherry Pickers, Little of This and Little of That
THA-THANG:
Mosey to stop sign at southeastern corner of admin bldg.  20 American Hammers.

Mosey south to roadway and head towards Lyons Bend Exit.  Stop at perimeter trail just south of exit.

We will be running on perimeter trail, going south and then east, past soccer fields and to southern ball fields.  We will do the following as we go along the trail:

  • Sprint forward four lights, then do exercise.
  • Bernie Sanders for three lights, then exercise.
  • Lunge for two lights, then exercise.
  • Bear crawl for one light, then exercise.  Then do baby crunches until others arrive.
  • Rinse and repeat as we keep moving forward on the perimeter trail but with a new exercise each time.
  • The following will be the exercises for each set of the above: 1:  5 Burpees; 2:  15 Squat Jumps; 3:  15 Merkins;  4:  15 Big Boys.

We will be at the southern ball fields when we finish the above.  Mosey to Outdoor Cathedral.  We will do 20 Bench Dips.

Mosey to roadway and go in the direction that heads south and then west.  Go to the stop sign by the road that heads toward the admin bldg.  Walk north to next stop sign on the southeastern corner of the admin bldg.

Mosey to AO.

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

The following is from Jeremiah 17:  7-8.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

We sometimes find ourselves anxious when unexpected events occur, when we lose something important to us, when we fail at something we have taken on, when bad times hit, when, as the bible verses above allude to, the “year of drought” is here.  I think of the folks out in California right now who have lost homes and possessions.  I saw one homeowner who was interviewed who said that the only thing in his home that survived the fire was a ceramic pot he made when he was a student in school.

It is at such times that we truly must trust in the Lord.  How do we trust at such times?  We must believe that comfort will come.  We must believe that God has people out there who are willing to provide support.  We must believe that God is with us.  If we can stay strong, not see merely the negative, we have strength to unite with others and rebuild.  It will take community and strength for those in California to survive the fires.  Those that are firmly planted in God will strive on despite the pain, will work through their fear, will not only take the helping hand that Americans will provide but reach out a helping hand to others.  If we can trust in God we can stand tall in such difficult times, rise above the destruction and work toward something greater than the things we have lost.
MOLESKIN:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
AO Launch in Cleveland, TN this Saturday.  3rd F at 8:30 am at Outlook on Saturday, December 8.

Synergy at Sundown

THE SCENE: Cloudy, 50s, and threatening rain, but threaten is all it did…
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER 

Check

WARM-O-RAMA:
20 SSH (IC), 20 Suzanne Sommers, 10 Cherry Pickers (IC), 5 Prisoner Cell Merkin Burpees (PCMB) OYO

THA-THANG:
Mosey to the new trail at the north end of the park.

  • LIGHT POLE ESCALATORS
    • Start at first light pole. Do exercise then run to second light pole, do exercise, run back, etc.  Go to 8 light poles. Exercises are:
      • Light Pole 1: 5 Prisoner Cell Merkin Burpees (PCMB)
      • Light Pole 2: 10 lunges (5 each leg)
      • Light Pole 3: 15 Carolina Dry Docks
      • Light Pole 4: 20 Suzanne Sommers
      • Light Pole 5: 25 LBCs
      • Light Pole 6: 30 iron mikes (15 each leg)
      • Light Pole 7: 35 Hello dollies (single count)
      • Light Pole 8 : 40 Imperial Walkers (single count).
    • When done, do LBCs until 6 catches up.

Mosey to the center of the circle drive around the Admin building.

  • BUCK 25s!
    • Start at center cone.  Barry Sanders to the left to another cone about 75 years away. Sprint back to center cone, do 10 Pickle Pounders.
      • Barry Sanders to the cone to the right about 75 yards away, sprint back, do 10 more Pickle Pounders.
      • Run down stairs and back up, do 5 more Pickle Pounders.
      • Bernie Sanders to the base of the stairs at the admin building, do 100 SSHs
      • Run back to center cone, and sprint back to the top of stairs of admin building and do one more emphatic Pickle Pounder!
  • 75 calf raises on building steps (25 normal, 25 toes in, 25 toes out)

Mosey back to AO.

MARY:
Captain Thors, Boat/Canoe, Bicycle kicks, Hold plank 1 minute, Star Gazer refractory period.

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
Nine men strong! (Quickrete not tagged)
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
Many Words recently have focused on surrounding ourselves with positive people.  Why is that?  The reason is because of a concept called SYNERGY, which is based on the Greek word Synergos, which means “working together”.

In my line of work, we look at toxic effects of chemicals.  If there is synergistic toxicity, the sum of the toxicity is something greater than simply adding the two together.  For example, the toxicity of Chemical A (with toxic units =2) + Chemical B (with toxic units =3) = 10, not 5. An example is mercury and lead, both of which are neurotoxins.  A study was done where mice were given a dose of mercury that typically would kill 1% of them, and a dose of lead that would also typically kill 1% of them.  So you would expect 1-2% to die.  But they ALL bit the dust, because of the the combination of lead and mercury, which are synergistic toxins.

So synergy can be a bad thing in toxicology.

But it can be a wonderful thing in other facets of life… like FOOD and DRINK

  • Milk + Chocolate Chip cookies!
  • Pumpkin Pie + coffee!
  • Pizza + Beer!
  • A nice Bordeaux wine + a perfectly cooked filet mignon!!!! (This is where the Q started to get really hungry…)

We all know about the analogy of the fist, too.  Each finger by itself is very weak, but when balled together, WATCH OUT!

It can also be wonderful in relationships.  We are stronger together than the sum of our parts. As Cap’n said at the Olympics, there’s no way in heck we would all get up in the dark and go to a mist-covered field to throw a discuss and do bench presses and flip a 400 pound tire if it weren’t for the presence of others in the group.  Same goes for every F3 workout that we do.  I want to thank the F3 PAX, and especially the Fake Gloomers for adding synergy to my life. I am grateful for each one of you.

Quote:

GENESIS 11:6.  And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.”

MOLESKIN:
Prayers of thanks that Mr. Jinxy’s situation at work has stabilized.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Special F3 workout at the Mend House, Monday Nov 12 6-7 pm, 308 Knox Road.  Park at the Fountain City Krogers nearby.  Contact Abscess or Tank for details.

Cleveland, TN F3 launch Saturday, Nov. 17! 7-9 am with caravan leaving earlier.  Contact Abscess for details.

Third F coming up December 8, 8:30 a.m. Stay tuned…